CHALLENGES OF KEY INDICATORS EFFECTING EFFICIENCIES OF SMALL SCALE AND COMMERCIAL FISH FARMERS IN AFRICA

In the developing world, more than one billion poor people obtain most of their animal protein from fish, and 250 million depend on fishing and aquaculture for their livelihoods.  Small scale to commercial fish farming in Africa ranges from extensive, semi-intensive and intensive levels of intensity, and from small ponds to floating cage production systems.  Different production systems have different start-up and operating costs, and profit margin, which is important if selling into the same local/country market.  Wild caught fish can also affect market price of farmed fish.   Challenges effecting efficiencies of small scale and commercial fish farmers in Africa are; seed, feed, training, lack of capital, poor access to specific aquacultural equipment, electricity supply, property rights, poor roads, market price, post-harvest losses, preservation and storage.  Many cage farmers prefer a pond start for the fish because of the extra nutrients that fish may benefit from in a pond environment.  Availability of a quality, complete and extruded feed is a challenge in Africa where complete pelletized feeds are not often available, which can affect FCR, growth rate and percent survival.  Fish farming in Africa is not for the faint hearted.  Mistakes are expensive and both small and commercial farmers should learn from the experience of others if an industry is to be built in Africa. There is a massive untapped potential for aquaculture in Africa but focused practical research, a focus on private sector development and cooperation among the stakeholders is needed if that potential is to be realized in the medium term.  Small scale fish farmers need training on fish husbandry and good management practices to sustainably boost the productivity and profitability of their farms.  Small scale fish farmers need to think like business people in their approach to fish farming.